Combination lock mechanism



Oct. 31, 1967 F, L T AL 3,349,586

COMBINATION LOCK MECHANI SM Filed March 1, 1965 2 Sheets-$heet vl MED c)! USSELL, 6750965 ,6. um ma INVENTORJ-S.

Oct. 31, 1967 RUSSELL ET AL 3,349,585

COMBINATION LOCK MECHANISM Filed March 1. 1965 PRIOR ART 6&4

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PRIOR ART PRIOR ART PRIOR ART fl 6% US$544,

EO/PGE ULOV/EFF',

INVENTORS.

J m, 5%, KJ/m firmnwsyst United States Patent 3,349,586 COMBINATION LOCK MECHANISM Fred J. Russell, 8635 Otis St., South Gate, Calif., 90280, and George B. Solovielf, San Clemente, Calif.; said Solovielf assignor to said Russell Filed Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 436,157 14 Claims. (Cl. 70-316) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination lock including a plurality of sets of annular combination disks with peripheral gates therein and annular driver disks on opposite sides of the combination disks, the sets being mounted for rotation upon a common hub and being separated by non-rotatable annular members keyed to the hub, an end cap on the hub securing the disks and separating members thereon each combination disk being adjustably coupled to the driver disks immediately adjacent thereto in such a manner that the angular relationships between the combination disks and each driver disks to which it is coupled can be universally varied over substantially 360 prior to the mounting of the disk sets and separating members of the hub, thereby providing for a large number of operating combinations in the lock. Cooperating surfaces on the peripheries of the combination disks adjacent the gates and on the end of a gate dog prevent moving a slightly misaligned combination disk into gate alignment by manipulation of the dog.

This invention relates in general to combination locks, and more particularly to an improved combination control mechanism for locks and the like devices.

Combination control mechanisms, as heretofore usually constructed, have been excessively complicated and required a relatively large number of different parts. Such mechanisms were, therefore, difiicult and expensive to manufacture, were often unreliable in operation, and were lacking in versatility and capacity of numbers of different combinations to which they could be adjusted. Such mechanisms were also lacking in the facility with which such limited combination adjustments, as they were capable of, could be'made.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism of improved construction and operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism capable of being adjusted to operate in accordance with a great number of different combinations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism having great versatility in combination adjustments without requiring the replacement, removal or substitution of components.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism in which changing of the operation combinations thereof are facilitated.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism in which a maximum number of the components thereof are interchangeable, whereby a minimum number of different components are required.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism of improved reliability and durability.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination control mechanism having improved reliability with respect to resistance to unauthorized operation thereof.

It is still a further object of this invention to furnish a combination control mechanism requiring greater accuracy in manipulation in accordance with the predetermined combination to which it is adjusted, whereby the likelihood of inadvertent or unauthorized successful operation thereof is greatly reduced.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of novelty will be evident hereinafter.

In the drawings, which illustrate a presently preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the invention and in which the same or similar reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, principally in longitudinal section, of the general assembly of the combination lock mechanism, such view corresponding approximately to that indicated by line 1-1 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of-the apparatus of FIGURE 1, with the front vase plate and combination actuating dial thereof removed to expose portions of the internal mechanism to view, such view corresponding approximately to that indicated by line 2--2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1, showing principally one end face of a combination disk driver member;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1, showing principally one end face of a combination disk;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1, showing principally one end face of a spacer member and a portion of an opposite end face of a combination disk driver member; and

FIGURE 6 is an exploded, isometric view, of reduced size, showing the principal apparatus elements and relative positions thereof in the combination disk assembly, shown assembled in FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are enlarged, fragmentary, detail views of a combination disk and associated combination gate and combination gate dog member, illustrating their shapes, relative positions, and mode of operation in prior art apparatus; and

FIGURES 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are enlarged, fragmentary, detailed views of a combination disk and its cooperating combination gate and combination gate dog member, illustrating their shapes, relative positions, and mode of operation in accordance with the present invention.

Referring first primarily to FIGURE 1, the combination disk assembly shown generally at 10 is, for the purpose of illustration, shown in a typical installation within a hollow metal case, the front and rear walls of which are shown in fragmentary form at 12 and 14 respectively and which are normally interconnected by enclosing top, bottom and side walls, not shown.

Fixed to the rear wall 14 of the case, and extending perpendicularly therefrom across the interior of the case and coaxially out through an opening 16 formed in the front wall 12 of the case, is an elongated, tubular combination disk assembly supporting pillar 18. The supporting pillar 18 is rigidly attached to the rear wall 14 of the case by means of a base flange 20 formed adjacent the rearward or inner end of the supporting pillar 18 and which is clamped against the inside surface of the rear wall 14 by suitably riveting or rolling, as shown at 24, of the tubular portion which extends through hole 22 formed in the rear wall 14.

Rotatably supported upon the outer or forward end portion of the supporting pillar 18, and located exteriorly of the outer face of the front wall 12 of the lock case, is a graduated, combination actuating dial 26 of substantially conventional design. The combination actuating dial 26 is formed on its inner side with a relatively short, coaxial, annular boss 28 which extends coaxially inwardly through the opening 16 in the front wall 12 of the case. The annular boss 28 of the combination actuating dial 26 is provided adjacent its inner end with a circumferential retainer ring groove 30', and detachably retained within the ring groove 30 is a flat, annular, retainer snap ring 31 which extends radially out from the ring groove 30 to a position adjacent the inner marginal surface of the front wall 12 surrounding the opening 16, to an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the opening 16. The snap ring 31 thus serves to detachably retain the combination actuating dial 26 in rotatable position upon the outer end portion of the supporting pillar 18.

Referring next primarily to FIGURE 6, as well as to FIGURE 1, coaxially supported upon that portion of the supporting pillar 18 which extends forwardly of the before-mentioned base flange 20, is a generally tubularshaped combination disk assembly supporting hub 32. The combination disk assembly supporting hub 32 is formed, in order respectively from the forward end to the rearward end thereof, first with a relatively short, cylindrical, reduceddiameter forward end portion 34, next an elongated, intermediate, cylindrical section 36 of increased outside diameter relative to the forward end portion 34 and having formed therein a pair of diametrically opposite, longitudinally extending, key slots 38 and 40, and finally a rear end, radially extending, flanged portion 42 of further increased outside diameter. The flanged portion 42 carries a laterally extending anchor lever member 44, which is formed at its radially outer end with an axially extending anchor button 46. In the assembled position of the combination disk assembly supporting hub 32 upon the supporting pillar 18, as shown at FIGURE 1, the anchor button 46 engages an inwardly dimpled anchor opening 48 formed in the rear wall 14 of the lock case, whereby the supporting hub 32 is restrained from rotation upon the supporting pillar 18.

Mounted upon the before described supporting hub 32, taken in succession from the forward end portion 34 to the rear end flanged portion 42 thereof, are three combination disk subassemblies shown generally at 53a, 53b, and 53c. While, for convenience of illustration, only three such combination disk subassemblies are herein illustrated in the mechanism assembly, any other desired number of such combination disk subassemblies, generally greater than two, may be employed in the same end-to-end series coupled arrangement, depending upon the degree of complication and security required.

Referring next to the combination disk assembly in more detail, and taken in the same order as before, the separate elements thereof are: first, an annular retainer cap 50; next, a generally annular shaped combination assembly drive intercoupler 52; next, a first, generally annular shaped combination disk 54a; next, a first, generally annular shaped disk driver member 56a; next, a first annular spacer 58a; next, a second, generally annular shaped disk driver member 56b; next, a second, generally annular shaped combination disk 5412; next, a third, generally annular shaped disk driver member 56c; next a second annular spacer 58b; next, a fourth, generally annular shaped disk driver member 56d; next, a third annular shaped combination disc 54c; and finally a disk scrambler cam carrier 60.

Each of the combination disks 54a, 54b and 540 are identical in form, each of the disk driver members 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are also identical in form, and each of the annular spacers 58a, and 58b are likewise identical in form; thus a detailed description of one each of such elements will serve as a description of all.

Referring first particularly to the annular shaped combination disks 54a, 54b and 540, each such annular shaped combination disk may have the form of a rotor member of any suitable diameter and thickness, but, preferably for space saving, comprises a relatively axially thin, an-

nular body 66 having a central bearing hole 68 of an inside diameter such as to make a relatively free, rotational fit upon the intermediate cylindrical section 36 of the supporting hub 32. The annular body 66 of the combination disk is provided with a gate dog engaging means which may take various forms depending upon the type of gate dog and gate dog actuating mechanism employed in the lock mechanism. Preferably, by way of example, in the present case, the gate dog engaging means takes the form of a single, generally rectangular, radially inwardly extending notch or gate slot 70 formed in the perimeter of the annular body 66. The portions of the outer edge or periphery of the annular body 66 extending circumferentially in opposite directions from opposite sides of the gate slot 70, are of reduced curvature or flattened from their otherwise circular form, as shown at 72 and 74, and serve as contact surfaces for cooperation with the gate dog as and for the purpose hereinafter more fully described in connection principally with FIG- URES 7a to 80. The marginal portion of the annular body 66 immediately surrounding the central bearing hole 68 carries a plurality of integrally formed, circumferentially equally spaced-apart, axially extending coupling projections 76, 78, and 82. The arrangement and number of such coupling projections 76, 78, 80 and 82 may be varied to some extent; but, in the present construction, four such coupling projections are provided, two of which, as shown at 76 and 82, extend axially in one axial direction from one face of the annular body 66, and two of which, as shown at 78 and 80, extend axially in the opposite axial direction from the opposite face of the annular body 66.

The number and positioning of the beforementioned coupling projections 76-82 need not be limited to that herein illustrated, but may vary in number from at least one such coupling projection extending axially from each opposite face of the annular body 66 up to a maximum number equal to the number of mating coupling grooves provided around the central opening of the disk driver member for receiving such projections as hereinafter described. For convenience of manufacture, each of the coupling projections 7682 are approximately semicylindrical in cross section and are integrally formed by axial deformation of a portion of the inner marginal portion of the central bearing hole Opening 68 of the annular body 66.

Referring next to the disk driver members 56a-56d, each such disk driver member comprises a relatively axially thin, annular body 84 of a suitable outside diameter, preferably less than the outside diameter of the annular body 66, having a single combination disk intercoupling control tab 87 extending axially from the outer edge thereof and having a central bearing hole 86 therein of an inside diameter such as to make a free rotation fit upon the beforementioned intermediate, cylindrical section 36 of the supporting hub 32. The inner marginal portion of the annular body 84 surrounding the central bearing hole 86 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially, equally spaced-apart, inwardly facing, scallop-shaped coupling grooves as shown at 88a88h. Each of the coupling grooves 88a-88h is shaped to receive and make snug coupling engagement with any of the coupling projections 76, 78, 80 and 82 of the annular body 66. While eight, circumferentially equally, spaced-apart coupling grooves 88a-88h are shown in annular body 84, any other desirable and suitable number thereof may be so employed, provided their number, shape and positioning are su h as to make mating coupling engagement with the coupling projections 76-82 of the annular body 66. With the coupling grooves 88a-88h of the annular body 84 arranged as herein shown and described, it will be evident that all of the annular shaped disk driver members 56a-56d' are interchangeable, all of the combination disks 54a54c' are likewise interchangeable, and any combination disk and any disk driver member are capable of being selectively positioned in face-to-face coupling engagement with one another in any one of eight different rotational, 2111- gular positions relative to one another. Thus, it is possible to locate the control tab 87 of each annular shaped disk driver member and the gate slot 70 of each of the combination disks at any one of eight different rotational angular positions relative to one another.

In the assembly of the combination disk mechanism, the axial direction in which every other of the disk driver members face are alternately reversed, such that, for example, the control tab 87 of disk driver member 56a faces in an axial direction opposite to that of the disk intercoupling control tab 87 of disk driver member 5612. The control tabs 87 are of such length and radial position that, upon rotational operation of the combination disk 54a relative to combination disk 54b, the respective disk intercoupling control tabs 87 will be moved into driving ngagement with one another, such as to transfer rotational movement from one combination disk to another, as hereinafter more fully described in the operation of the apparatus. Likewise, the disk intercoupling control tab 87 of disk driver member 56c faces in a direction opposite to that of the disk intercoupling control tab 87 of disk driver member 56d.

Referring next to the hereinbefore mentioned combination assembly drive intercoupler 52, this member comprises a relatively axially thin, generally annular body 104 identical to the hereinbefore described annular bodies 84 of the disk driver members 56a-56d, and having a central opening formed with a plurality of coupling grooves also identical to those of the annular bodies 84 of the disk driver members 56a-56d, such that they may be placed in selective coupling engagement with the coupling projections 76-82 of the combination disk 54a in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the disk driver members 56a-56d. The annular body 104 of the combination assembly drive intercoupler 52 is provided with four circumferentially equally spaced-apart, axially extending coupling tabs 106, 108, 110 and 112. One of the coupling tabs, for example, tab 112, is preferably transversely wider than coupling tabs 106410, for purposes of indexing it rotationally with respect to the combination actuating dial 26 with which they make coupling engagement. The inner face of the annular boss 28 of the combination actuating dial 26 is formed w1th four coupling sockets, two of which are in view at 114 and 116 in FIGURE 1, for receiving the beforementioned cou pling tabs 106-110 of the combination assembly drive intercoupler 52, the coupling socket 114 being the widest, such as to be engageable only with the corresponding widest coupling tab 112.

Referring next to the annular spacers 58a and 58b, each of these spacers comprises a generally annular body 90, having an outer cylindrical rim 92 of slightly less outside diameter than the outside diameter of the annular bodies 84, and having an integral relatively axially thin, inner annular web portion 94 positioned axially ntermediate the opposite edges of the outer cylindricalnm 92, thereby providing on opposite sides thereof, axially oppositely facing, undercut, annular recesses 96 and 98. The inner annular web portion 94 of the annular spacer (58a or 58b) has an inside diameter, making a relatively free axial sliding fit upon the outside d1ameter of the intermediate cylindrical section 36 of the supporting hub 32, and is provided with a pair of integrally formed, diametrically opposite, radially inwardly projecting keys 100 and 102 which make longitudinal sliding fit within the key slots 38 and 40 in the aforesaid intermediate cylindrical section 36 of the supporting hub 32. The spacers 58a and 58b are thereby prevented from rotating relative to the supporting hub 32 and serve to isolate rotationally the combination disk subassemblies 53a, 53b and 53c from one another.

The annular retainer cap 50 is rotatably positioned on the reduced diameter forward end portion 34 of the supporting hub 32, with an inner edge 51 thereof positioned adjacent the shoulder 39 formed at the outer end of the intermediate cylindrical section 36 of the supporting hub 32, and with an outer edge portion 53 thereof in abutment with the outer face of the annular body 104 of the combination assembly drive intercoupler 52. The annular retainer cap 50 is formed with an axially facing, channel-shaped groove 55, located radially intermediate the inner and outer edges 51 and 53, to provide clearance for the axially extending ends of the coupling projections 76 and 82, which make coupling engagement with and extend slightly through the coupling grooves 88a-8Sh around the central opening of the combination assembly drive intercoupler 52.

In the assembly of the apparatus within the lock case, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, an elongated gate dog 118 of such size and shape as to be capable of entering into locking engagement with the several gate slots 70, is supported parallel with the longitudinal axis of the combination disk assembly 10, and slightly above the peripheries of the combination disks 54a, 54b and 54c. The gate dog 118 is supported through supporting means 120 from an actuating mechanism, not shown, capable of imparting vertical movement of the gate dog 118 between the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, in which the gate dog 118 is out of engagement with the gate slots 70 of the combination disks 54a54c, and a position such as illustrated in FIGURE 8d, in which the gate dog 118 is in full engagement with the gate slots 70 of the combination disks 54a-54c, thereby, in the latter position, rendering the mechanism operative by rotation of the combination actuating dial 26 to impart motion to the gate dog 118 such as to effect locking or unlocking operations of a lock mechanism, as is well known in the combination lock art. For example, the gate dog 118 may be constructed and operatively coupled to a lock mechanism of the same kind as that shown and described in connection with gate dog of copending application Ser. No. 408,430.

The operation of the hereinbefore described portion of the combination mechanism is as follows:

In a normal condition of the lock combination disk assembly 10, such as that which it may have when effecting a lock controlling function, that is, when it is preventing the lock mechanism from being unlocked, the combination disk subassemblies 53a, 53b and 53c, including the combination disks 54a, 54b and 540, are usually in rand-om rotational angular positions on the intermediate cylindrical section 36 of the supporting hub 32, one such random positioning being, for example, illustrated in FIGURES l and 6, in which the gate slots 70 of the combination disks 54a, 54b and 54c are facing in different angular directions about the axis of the combination mechanism assembly and thus are not in the simultaneous axial alignment with one another and with the gate dog 118, which is required to permit the gate dog 118 to move into engagement with the gate slots 70, which condition is required to effect the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism.

When it is desired to actuate the combination lock control mechanism, such as to permit the unlocking of a lock, the graduated combination actuating dial 26 is first rotated several turns in one predetermined direction, as is the conventional preparatory procedure for initially positioning the several combination disks in a predetermined initial rotation relation With respect to one another. Upon such preparatory rotation of the combination actuating dial 26, the rotation thereof is transmited through the annular body 104 to the first combination disk 54a and thence to the first disk driver member 56a. As a result of such rotation of the first disk driver member 56a, the control tab 87 of the first disk driver member 56a is rotated therewith into driving engagement with the control tab 87 of the second disk driver member 56b, which thereby, in turn, imparts rotation to the second combination disk 54b and thence to the third disk driver member 56c. Upon continued rotation of the combination actuating dial 26, the control tab 87 of the third disk driver member 560 is rotated into driving contact with the control tab 87 of the fourth disk driver member 56d, which, in turn, finally rotates the third combination disk 54c and the disk scrambler cam carrier 60 which is coupled thereto by means of coupling grooves 132 and 134. Following the completion of such initial rotation of the combination actuating dial 26 in one direction, which results in the beforedescribed initial predetermined positioning of the first, second and third combination disks 54a, 54b and 54c, in predetermined relative positions, the combination actuating dial 26 is then rotated in the opposite direction and alternately in one direction and then another through predetermined angular amounts, in accordance with the predetermined combination, which, by reason of bringing the several control tabs 87 of the first, second, third, and fourth disk driver members 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d respectively, into sequential driving engagement with one another, results in angular movement of the combination disks 54a, 54b and 540 in such order and through such rotational angles as to bring the gate slots 70 thereof into simultaneous axial alignment with one another and in alignment with the lower end surfaces 122 and 124 of the gate dog 118, such as illustrated in FIG- URE 2 and FIGURE 8a. Upon so positioning the gate slots 70, the gate dog 118 is then free to be moved downwardly into simultaneous engagement with the gate slots 70 therewith to the position illustrated in FIGURE 8d, whereupon, by reason of such movement of the gate dog 118, the lock mechanism, not shown, is permitted to be actuated to an unlocked position.

Upon upward movement of the gate dog 118, out of engagement with the gate slots 70 of the combination disks 54a, 54b and 54c to re-establish a locked condition of the lock mechanism, a combination disk scrambler mechanism within the lock, of a kind similar to that disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 408,430, imparts a rotational impulse to the cam lobe 62 of the disk scrambler cam carrier 60, which results in rotation of at least the third combination disk 54c and the fourth disk driver member 56d coupled thereto, through a rotational angle suflicient to displace the gate slot 70 of the third combination disk 540 out of alignment with the gate dog 118. The gate dog 118 is thus prevented from being immediately returned into engagement with the gate slots 70, and the lock then cannot be actuated to an unlocked condition without repeating the entire combination manipulation method procedure as hereinbefore described.

It, at any time, it is desired to change the combination of the combination mechanism, this can be accomplished by removal of the combination actuating dial 26 from the outer end of the supporting pillar 18, by removal of the retainer snap ring 31 from the snap ring groove 30. This will free the elements of the combination disk assembly 10 to be moved axially apart upon the supporting hub 32, or, if desired, the entire combination disk assembly 10, including the supporting hub 32, may be withdrawn from the supporting pillar 18. To effect a change of the combination, it is then only necessary to separate and uncouple one or more of the disk driver members 56a, 56b, 560 or 56d from its associated combination disks 54a, 54b or 54c, and re-establish the coupling engagement therebetween at any other desired rotational angle, perrnitted by the selective coupling arrangement between the coupling projections 76, 78, 80 and 82 of the combination disks 54a-54c and the coupling grooves or scallops 88a, 88b, 88c and 88d of the disk drive members 56a-56d, as hereinbefore described. The combination as a whole, without changing the relative positions of the three combination disks 54a, 54b, 54c, relative to one another, may also be accomplished by merely changing the rotational angular coupling position between the annular body 104 and the first combination disk 54a. With three combination disk subassemblies 53a-53c coupled in series as herein illustrated, by changing therein all of the possible angular coupling positions of all of the disk driver members 56a-56d and the annular body 104 relative to all of the combination disks 54a-54c with which they are coupled, it is thereby possible to adjust the combination mechanism such as to have 8 or 32,768 different operating combinations.

Referring next to FIGURES 7a to 7d, a gate dog 118a and gate slot 70a of conventional construction is illustrated. In this conventional construction, in event the gate slots 70a are rotated into precise alignment with the gate dog 118a then such gate dog 1181: can be moved into engagement with the gate slot 70a as shown in FIG- URE 7d without ditficulty. However, in event the gate slots 70a are rotated to a position of slight misalignment with the gate dog 118a, as shown in FIGURE 7b, 76, then an attempt to move the gate dog 118a downwardly into engagement with the gate slot 70a will result in the lower fiat surface 126 of the gate dog 118a being brought into impingement with the point 128 formed at the intersection of one side of the gate slot 70a with the periphery 130 of the combination disk body 66a. The effect of such impingement of the lower flat surface 126 of the gate dog 118a upon the point 128 of the gate slot 70a will be to apply a force thereto having a component such as to tend to rotate the combination disk body 66a in a clockwise direction. Thus, by repeated application of vibrations to the combination mechanism assembly while maintaining such contact, or by repeated upward and downward movement or jiggling of the gate dog 118a, the combination disk body 66a will have imparted to it clockwise increments of rotation, as indicated by arrow 140, such as eventually to move the gate slot 70a clockwise to a position of alignment with the gate dog 118a, whereupon the gate dog 118a can move into engagement with the gate slot 70a, thereby permitting unauthorized actuation of the combination mechanism.

Referring next to FIGURE 2 and in more detail to FIGURES 8a to 8d, in contrast to the more conventional construction hereinbefore described in connection with FIGURES 7a7d, the gate dog 118 of the apparatus of the present invention is preferably provided with an elongated lower surface which is V-shaped in cross section or end elevation and which lower surface is formed with a pair of elongated, downwardly diverging, plane surfaces 122 and 124, the intersecting apex line 136 of which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combination mechanism assembly. The downwardly diverging plane surfaces 122 and 124 correspond in angular arrangement approximately with those of the hereinbefore mentioned, flattened edge portions 72 and 74 of each of the annular bodies 66 which extend circumferentially in opposite direction from opposite sides of the gate slots or notches 70.

The purpose and function of the V-shaped lower surface of the gate dog 118 in cooperation with the flattened edge portions 72 and 74 of the gate notches 70 of the annular bodies 66 is as follows:

In event the combination disk assembly is manipulated accurately in accordance with its predetermined combination sequence, as hereinbefore described, such that the combination disk gate slots 70 are rotated into simultaneous, precise alignment with gate dog 118, as illustrated in FIGURE 8a, the gate dog 118 may then be caused to enter into engagement with the gate slots 70 as shown in FIGURE 8d, whereby the associated lock mechanism is placed in condition for unlocking operation. However, if because of a lack of knowledge by the operator of the exact combination required, or by reason of inaccurate manipulation of the combination control mechanism, any one of the gate slots 70 is rotated into a position in which it is misaligned slightly with respect to the adjacent gate dog 118, as illustrated in FIGURE 8b, then the movement of the gate dog 118 downward in an attempt to enter into the gate slot 70 will result in one or the other of the lower plane surfaces 122 and 124 being brought into engagement with the corresponding one or other of the flattened edge portions 72 or 74 of the edge of the annular body 66, as illustrated in FIG- URE 8c. In this particular example, the lower plane surface 122 of the gate dog 118 is brought into engagement, at some point, with the flattened edge portion 74 of the annular body 66. Following this, if an attempt is made to force entry of the gate dog 118 into the gate slot 70 by any of the well known means employed under such conditions, such as, for example, imparting vibrations to the combination mechanism assembly or by repeated upward and downward or jiggling motions of the gate dog 118, the resultant forces between the lower plane surfaces 122 of the gate dog 118 and the upper flattened edge portion 74 of the annular body 66 will be such as to tend to impart counterclockwise increments of rotation thereto, as indicated by arrow 138, such as to move the gate slot 70 counterclockwise to a position of still greater misalignment with the gate dog 118. Such counterclockwise rotation will continue under such conditions, at least until a misalignment of the gate slot 70 with respect to the gate dog 118 is such as to bring the plane surface 122 into face-to-face contact with the flattened edge portion 74, as shown in FIGURE 80. Thereafter, no further rotation of the annular body 66 will occur, and the gate dog 118 and gate slot 70 can never be brought into alignment with one another. It will be evident from the foregoing that with the gate dog 118 and the gate slot 70 formed in accordance with the present invention, the usual methods of defeating the requirements of precise operation of the combination mechanism or the inadvertent successful operation of such combination mechanism will be prevented.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described which is capable of fulfilling the objects and the advantages sought, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative only and is not to be limited thereby, but includes all modifications and variations which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a combination lock mechanism, a combination control unit comprising:

an annular combination disk member having a gate dog receiving means thereon;

an annular disk driver member having driving means thereon;

means mounting said disk members in side by side relation for rotation about a common and concentric axis;

coupling means adjacent the inner edges of said annular disk members detachably interconnecting them for common coaxial rotation, said coupling means including detachable means for selectively coupling said disk members together at any one of a plurality of predetermined different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one another through substantially 360.

2. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

a hub;

a combination disk member having a central opening and having a gate dog receiving thereon;

a disk driver member having a central opening, at least one of said members being rotatably mounted on said hub through its central opening with said members disposed in side by side coaxial relation;

and coupling means adjacent said central openings detachably coaxially interconnecting said members for rotation together upon said hub member, said coupling means including detachable means for selectively coupling said combination disk and said disk driver together at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial, rotational angular positions relative to one another through substantially 360.

3. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

a hub member;

a combination disk having a central opening by which it is mounted coaxially of said hub member and having a gate notch formed therein;

a disk driver member having a central opening by which it is mounted coaxially of said hub member in side by side relation to said combination disk and having a disk driver tab extending therefrom;

coupling means adjacent said central openings detachably interconnecting said combination disk and said disk driver member for simultaneous rotation together coaxially of said hub member, said coupling means including detachable means for selectively coupling said combination disk and said disk driver together at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial, rotational angular positions relative to one another through substantially 360 whereby said gate notch and said disk driver tab may be fixed at any one of a plurality of predetermined, difl'erent, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one another through substantially 360.

4. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

an annular combination disk member having a gate notch formed therein, and at least one coupling dog extending axially from a face thereof immediately adjacent its inner diameter edge;

an annular disk driver member having a disk driver tab extending axially from an outer edge portion thereof and a plurality of clutch recesses therein circumferentially spaced-apart on a substantially 360 coaxial of said disk driver member and immediately adjacent its inner diameter edge, each said clutch recess being shaped and positioned to be drivingly engageable with said coupling dog;

and means for retaining said disk member and said disk driver member in face-to-face, coaxial coupling engagement with one another, with said coupling dog in driving engagement with a selected one of said clutch recesses;

whereby said disk member and said disk driver member, and hence, said gate notch and said disk driver tab may be selectively fixed at any one of a plurality of different, predetermined rotational angular positions relative to one another through substantially 360.

5. In a combination lock mechanism, a combination control unit comprising:

a combination disk member having a central opening for coaxial rotation about a supporting member and having a gate notch formed therein;

a first disk driver member positioned adjacent one axially facing side of said combination disk and having a central opening by which it may be coaxially rotatably mounted for rotation coaxially of said supporting member;

a second disk driver member positioned adjacent the other axially facing side of said combination disk and having a central opening by which it may be coaxially rotatably mounted for rotation coaxially of said supporting member;

coupling means independently detachably coupling said combination disk to each of said disk driver members for common coaxial rotation as a unit, said coupling means including disengageable means for In a combination lock mechanism, a combination control unit comprising:

a combination disk having a central opening and having gate means thereon;

first disk driver member positioned adjacent one side of said combination disk and having a first disk driver tab extending therefrom;

second disk driver member positioned adjacent the other side of said combination disk and having a second disk driver tab extending therefrom;

coupling means independently detachably interconnecting said combination disk to each of said disk driver members for common coaxial rotation as a unit, said coupling means including disengageable means for independently selectively fixing said combination disk to said first disk driver member and to said second disk driver member, each at any of a plurality of different, predetermined, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to the other;

whereby said gate means, said first disk driver tab and said second disk driver tab may be selectively fixed at any of a plurality of different, predetermined, rotational angular positions relative to each other.

In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

a hub member; a first combination disk having a central opening therein by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member, and having a gate 'notch formed therein;

first disk driver membe having a central opening therein by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member, and having a first disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means adjacent said central openings detacha second combination disk having a central opening therein by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member, and having a gate notch formed therein;

a second disk driver member having a central opening therein by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member, and having a second disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means adjacent the central openings in said second combination disk and said second disk driver member detachably interconnecting them for rotation together as a unit coaxially of said hub member, said coupling means including detachable means for selectively coupling said second combination disk and said second disk driver member together at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one another through substantially 360;

the thus interconnected first combination disk and first disk driver member unit and the thus interconnected second combination disk and second disk driver member unit being positioned axially in oppositehand relation to one another whereby said first disk driver member and said second disk driver member adjacently, axially face one another, with said first disk driver tab of said first disk driver member extending adjacent said second disk driver member, and with said second disk driver tab of said second disk driver member extending adjacent said first disk driver member, such that portions of said first and second disk driver tabs move in a common circular path and thus make lost motion driving contact with one another upon rotation of said first combination disk and said disk driver member unit, and said second combination disk and disk driver member unit relative to one another about said hub member;

and. means for retaining said combination disks said disk driver members and spacer member together axially on said hub member as aforesaid.

8. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

a hub member;

a first combination disk having a central opening by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member and having a first gate dog engaging means thereon;

a first disk driver member having a central opening by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member adjacent one side of said first combination disk;

a second disk driver member having a central opening by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member adjacent the other side of said first combination disk, and having a second disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means detachably interconnecting said first combination disk and said first and second disk driver members together for common rotation as a unit upon said hub member, said coupling means including disengageable means for selectively fixing said first combination disk, said first disk driver member and said second disk driver member at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to each other;

a second combination disk having a central opening by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member having a second gate dog engaging means thereon;

a third disk driver member having a central opening by which it is mounted for rotation coaxially of said hub member adjacent one side of said second combination disk, and having a third disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means detachably interconnecting said second combination disk and said third disk driver members together for common rotation as a unit upon said hub member, said coupling means including disengageable means for selectively fixing said second combination disk and said third disk driver member at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one another;

the thus interconnected first combination disk and first and second disk driver member unit and the thus interconnected second combination disk and third disk driver member unit being positioned axially on said hub member adjacently opposite one another whereby said second disk driver member and said third disk driver member adjacently face one another with said second disk driver tab on said second disk driver member extending adjacent said third disk driver member and with said third disk driver tab of said third disk driver member extending adjacent said second disk driver member, such that portions of said second and third disk driver tabs move in a common circular path and thus make lost motion driving contact with one another upon rotation of said first combination disk and first and second disk driver member unit, and said second combination disk and second and third disk driver member unit relative to one another on said hub member;

and means coupled to said first disk driver member for adjustably rotatably driving said first disk driver member and thereby through driving contact of said second and third disk driver tabs, adjustably rotate said third disk driver member and said second combination disk.

9. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

member and thereby through driving contact of said second and third disk driver tabs, adjustably rotate said third disk driver member and said second combination disk.

10. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

a hub member;

a first combination disk having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member and having a first gate dog engaging means spacer member nonrotatably positioned on said hub member intermediate said second disk driver member and said third disk driver member;

and means coupled to said first disk driver member for adjustably rotatably driving said first disk driver a hub member; thereon;

a first combination disk having a central opening by a first disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member and having a first gate dog engaging means member adjacent one side of said first combination thereon; 15 disk;

21 first disk driver member having a central opening by a second disk driver member having a central opening which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said e b adja t one id of said first co bi ation hub member adjacent the other side of said first com di k; bination disk and having a second disk driver tab exa second disk driver member having a central opening tending eccentl'ically therefrom;

by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said coupling means detachably interconnecting said first hub member adj cent the othe side f said first c combination disk and said first and second disk driver bination disk, and having a second disk driver tab m s t g th r for common rotation as a unit extending eccentrically the ef m; upon said hub member, said coupling means includcoupling means detachably interconnecting said first 25 g gag a l means for sele tively fixing said combination disk and said first and second disk driver first Combination disk, Said first k r r m m r members together for common rotation as a unit and Said Second disk drivel member at y 0116 Of 8 upon said hub member, said coupling means includplurality of predetermined, different, coaxial Iotaing disengageable means for selectively fixing said tiol'lal angular Positions relative to each other; first combination disk, said first disk driver member a Second Combination disk having a 06ml 211 p g by and said second disk driver member at any one of a which it is coaxially rotatably mounted 011 said 1111b plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotamember and having a Second g dog engaging tional angular positions relative to each other; means thereon;

a second combination disk having a central opening by a third disk drivel member having a central Opening y which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on Said hub m mb d h i a Second t d engaging member adjacent one side of said second combinameans h tion disk, and having a third disk driver tab extenda third disk driver member having a central opening by mg eccePmcally therefrom;

which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub a fourth dimer member havmg a central Opemng member adjacent one side of said second combinaby Whlch It IS ioaxlany rotatably mounted on Said tion disk, and having a third disk driver tab extendh adjacent the 9 side of said Second ing eccentricauy therefrom; combination disk and having a fourth disk driver coupling means detachably interconnecting said second tab.extendlng eccenmcauy therefrom;

combination disk and said third disk driver members coup f dfetachably niterconnecting Said second together for common rotation as a unit upon said coinbmanon disk and sald third and fouith disk hub member, said coupling means including disendriver membfzrs together for c9mm0n.mtat1n as a gageable means for selectively fixing said second umt .up0n.sa1d hub member Sald couphng means combination disk and said third disk driver member childmg dlsengageible. mefins selectively fixing at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, said second combmation d sk, said third disk driver coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one member and 3 fourth dlsk i P at any another; one of a plurality of predetermined, different coaxial the thus interconnected first combination disk and first 2 2 33 g relfitlvfa to .each other;

' and second disk driver member unit and the thus nd rst contbmanqn disk and first interconnected second combination disk and third i ggg gi g i the h disk driver member unit being positioned axially on and fourth disk d ombma is fl said hub member adjacently opposite one another aX-an h er mem er Pmt emg positloned whereby said second disk driver-member and said 1 on Sal u -member a-djacelifly Opposlte one third disk driver member adjacently face one ang- 2 g Second dlsls dnver member and other with said second disk driver tab on said second 2 r 5 .nver 3 3ml? f l ently face one andisk driver member extending adjacent said third disk disk d a1 sgcon 1S drive-r tab on.sald.seco.nd driver member and with said third disk driver tab driv nver g erdextfmdmg adjaicent .sald flilrd disk of said third disk driver member extending adjacent f zfi Z an -W1th Sald thud dlsli dnveir tab said second disk driver member, such that portions 0 H dilver member extendmg adlacent of said second and third disk driver tabs move in a r salddlsk dnve-r m Such that portions common circular path and thus make 10st motion of said second and third disk driver tabs move in a driving contact withone another upon rotation of i i circular path and thus make lost motion said first combination disk and first and second disk dnvmg Contact with one another upon rotation of driver member unit and Said Second combination said first combination disk and first and second disk disk and second and thi d di k d i member unit driver member unit and said second combination relative to one another on said hub b disk and second and third disk driver member unit relative to one another on said hub member;

a third combination disk having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member and having a third gate dog engaging means thereon; I

a fifth disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member adjacent one side of said third combination disk and having a fifth disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means detachably interconnecting said third combination disk and said fifth disk driver member together for common rotation as a unit upon said hub member, said coupling means including disengageable means for selectively fixing said third combination disk and said fifth disk driver member at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one another;

means for retaining said combination disks, said disk driver members and spacer members together axially on said hub member as aforesaid;

and means coupled to said first disk driver member for adjustably rotatably driving said first disk driver member and thereby, through driving contact of said second and third disk driver tabs, adjustably rotate said third disk driver member, and thereby in turn, through driving contact of said fourth and fifth disk driver tabs, adjustably rotate said fifth disk driver member thereby rotating said first, second and third combination disks in succession.

11. In a combination lock mechanism, apparatus comprising:

a hub member;

a first combination disk having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member and having a first gate dog engaging means thereon;

a first disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member adjacent one side of said first combination disk;

a second disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member adjacent the other side of said first combination disk and having a second disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means detachably interconnecting said first combination disk and said first and second disk driver members together for common rotation as a unit upon said hub member, said coupling means including disengageable means for selectively fixing said first combination disk, said first disk driver member and said second disk driver member at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to each other;

a second combination disk having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member and having a second gate dog engaging means thereon;

a third disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member adjacent one side of said second combination disk, and having a third disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

a fourth disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member adjacent the other side of said second combination disk and having a fourth disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means detachably interconnecting said second combination disk and said third and fourth disk driver members together for common rotation as a unit upon said hub member, said coupling means including disengageable means for selectively fixing said second combination disk, said third disk driver member and said fourth disk driver member at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different coaxial rotational angular positions relative to each other;

the thus interconnected first combination disk and first and second disk driver member unit and the thus interconnected second combination disk and third and fourth disk driver member unit being positioned axially on said hub member adjacently opposite one another whereby said second disk driver member and said third disk driver member adjacently face one another with said second disk driver tab on said second disk driver member extending adjacent said third disk driver member and with said third disk driver tab of said third disk driver member extending adjacent said second disk driver member, such that portions of said second and third disk driver tabs move in a common circular path and thus make lost motion driving contact with one another upon rotation of said first combination disk and first and second disk driver member unit and said second combination disk and second and third disk driver member unit relative to one another on said hub member;

a first spacer member nonrotatably positioned on said hub member intermediate said second disk driver member and said third disk driver member;

a third combination disk having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member and having a third gate dog engaging means thereon;

a fifth disk driver member having a central opening by which it is coaxially rotatably mounted on said hub member adjacent one side of said third combination disk and having a fifth disk driver tab extending eccentrically therefrom;

coupling means detachably interconnecting said third combination disk and said fifth disk driver member together for common rotation as a unit upon said hub member, said coupling means including disengageable means for selectively fixing said third combination disk and said fifth disk driver member at any one of a plurality of predetermined, different, coaxial rotational angular positions relative to one another;

a second spacer member nonrotatably positioned on said hub member intermediate said fourth disk driver member and said fifth disk driver member;

means for retaining said combination disks, said disk driver members and spacer members together axially on said hub member as aforesaid;

and means coupled to said first disk driver member for adjustably rotatably driving said first disk driver member and thereby, through driving contact of said second and third disk driver tabs, adjustably rotate said third disk driver member, and thereby in turn, through driving contact of said fourth and fifth disk driver tabs, adjustably rotate said fifth disk driver member thereby rotating said first, second and third combination disks in succession.

12. In a combination lock mechanism, a combination control unit comprising:

a combination rotor body having a generally circular outer surface and means for support thereof for rotation about its center;

a generally radially inwardly and circumferentially extending gate notch formed in said outer surface, the portions of said outer surface adjoining and extending a predetermined limited distance circumferentially in opposite directions from circumferentially opposite sides of said notch being formed with contact surfaces of reduced curvature relative to the balance of said outer surface;

a gate dog member movably supported adjacent the said outer surface of said rotor body, said gate dog member having an engaging portion thereof formed to engagingly fit into said gate notch and means mounting said gate dog member for rectilinear movement; substantially radially relative to said rotor body between positions of disengagement and engagement with said gate notch when said gate dog member and said gate notch are in engageable alignment;

said engaging portion having an end surface movable therewith into engagement with at least one of said rotor body contact surfaces adjacent said gate notch when said gate dog and said gate notch are slightly out of engageable alignment;

the said end surface of said gate dog member which makes such engagement with the contact surface being generally concave in the cross-section thereof which lies in a plane parallel with a diametral plane of said circular outer surface;

whereby the surface of one or the other of the sides of said concave depression is movable into engagement with one or the other of the said contact surfaces on said motor body when said gate notch and said gate dog member are slightly out of engageable alignment, one way or the other, as aforesaid, and whereby said combination rotor body is thereby at least prevented from movement by manipulation of said gate dog to reduce the misalignment between said gate notch and said gate dog.

13. In a combination lock mechanism, a combination control unit comprising:

a combination rotor body having a generally circular outer surface and means for support thereof for rotation about its center;

a generally radially inwardly and circumferentially extending gate notch formed in said outer surface; the portions of said outer surface adjoining and extending a predetermined, limited distance circumferentially in opposite directions from circumferentially opposite sides of said notch being formed with contact surfaces;

a gate dog member movably supported adjacent the said outer surface of said rotor body, said gate dog member having an engaging portion thereof formed to engagingly fit into said gate notch; and means mounting said gate dog member for rectilinear movement; substantially radially relative to said rotor body between positions of disengagement and engagement with said gate notch when said gate dog member and said gate notch are in engageable alignment;

said engaging portion of said gate dog having an end surface movable into engagement with at least one of said rotor body contact surfaces adjacent said gate notch when said gate dog and said gate notch are slightly out of engageable alignment;

the end surface of said gate dog member which makes such engagement with the said contact surfaces of said rotor body being formed, and said contact surfaces being formed, such that upon engagement of said end surface of said gate dog with one of said contact surfaces, when said gate dog and said gate notch are slightly out of engageable alignment, said gate notch is forced into a position of still greater misalignment.

14. In a combination lock mechanism, a combination control unit comprising:

a combination :rotor body having a generally circular outer surface and means for support thereof for rotation about its center;

a generally radially inwardly and circumferentially extending gate notch formed in said outer surface, the portions of said outer surface adjoining and extending a predetermined limited distance circumferentially in opposite directions from circumferentially opposite sides of said notch being formed with contact surfaces of reduced curvature relative to the bah ance of said outer surface;

a gate dog member movably supported adjacent the outer surface of said rotor body and having an engaging port-ion formed to fit into said gate notch when aligned therewith;

and means mounting said gate dog member for rectilinear movement substantially radially relative to said rotor body between positions of engagement and disengagement with said gate notch,

radially inward movement of said gate dog member engaging its end surface with one of said rotor body contact surfaces adjacent the gate notch when said gate dog member and gate notch are slightly out of alignment, the reduced curvature contact surface of said rotor body cooperating with the end surface of said gate dog member to inhibit rotation of said rotor body by manipulation of said gate dog member to reduce the misalignment between the gate notch and the gate dog member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,430,195 9/1922 Sheller. 2,672,042 3/1954 George 333 X 2,766,610 10/1956 Hirn 70-333 2,792,703 5/1957 Murray 70323 X 3,045,467 7/1962 Herlong 70-317 X 3,237,434 3/1966 Jackes et al 70-317 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. 

3. IN A COMBINATION LOCK MECHANISM, APPARATUS COMPRISING: A HUB MEMBER; A COMBINATION DISK HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING BY WHICH IT IS MOUNTED COAXIALLY OF SAID HUB MEMBER AND HAVING A GATE NOTCH FORMED THEREIN; A DISK DRIVER MEMBER HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING BY WHICH IT IS MOUNTED COAXIALLY OF SAID HUB MEMBER IN SIDE BY SIDE RELATION TO SAID COMBINATION DISK AND HAVING A DISK DRIVER TAB EXTENDING THEREFROM; COUPLING MEANS ADJACENT SAID CENTRAL OPENINGS DETACHABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID COMBINATION DISK AND SAID DISK DRIVER MEMBER FOR SIMULTANEOUS ROTATION TOGETHER COAXIALLY OF SAID HUB MEMBER, SAID COUPLING MEANS INCLUDING DETACHABLE MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY COUPLING SAID COMBINATION DISK AND SAID DISK DRIVER TOGETHER AT ANY ONE OF A PLURALITY OF PREDETERMINED, DIFFERENT, COAXIAL, ROTATIONAL ANGULAR POSITIONS RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER THROUGH SUBSTANTIALLY 360*; WHEREBY SAID GATE NOTCH AND SAID DISK DRIVER TAB MAY BE FIXED AT ANY ONE OF A PLURALITY OF PREDETERMINED, DIFFERENT, COAXIAL ROTATIONAL ANGULAR POSITIONS RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER THROUGH SUBSTANTIALLY 360* 